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Incorporating the Southern Cross Weekly, Boroondara Weekly, Stonnington Weekly, Glen Eira Standard, Kingston Standard, Port Phillip Times, Bayside Advertiser, Brighton Advertiser, Sandringham Advertiser, Collingwood-Fitzroy-Carlton Courier, The Clarion, Yarra Times.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
Crime Crisis Mayor’s Statement
■ Bayside Mayor Cr Hanna El Mouallem says his Council sharesd the deep concern of the community around the alarming increase in aggravated burglaries and car theft within the municipality and understands the desire of residents to protect themselves and their families. “I implore the Victorian Government to urgently focus more resources and attention to addressing the issue. We need action now,” Cr Mouallem said. “Council is doing everything in our control and we are prepared to continue to support Victoria Police in any way we can. This could include providing access to Council facilities to support police operations. “Ultimately it is the Victorian Government’s responsibility to combat this growing crisis and they are failing to do so. “I recently met with the Attorney General to discuss community safety concerns and other matters. I have previously asked for a meeting with the Minister for Police, and again call on Minister Carbines to come to Bayside to hear our increasing concerns. I will continue to seek an urgent meeting with the Minister. “Council will continue to work closely with local police, Neighbourhood Watch and community organisations to address this issue. This includes facilitating a Community Safety Committee and a Youth Safety SubCommittee, bringing together key stakeholders in the region on a regular basis, as well as supporting Neighbourhood Watch Bayside and various community safety events,” Cr El Mouallem said.
JAM FACTORY ANGST
● Cr Melina Sehr, Stonnington Mayor
■ Stonnington Council says it is aware of and deeply concerned about demolition works undertaken out of hours, and in breach of both local law and permit conditions, at the Jam Factory site over the weekend of February 28March 2. :The Council takes this breach extremely seriously and its officers took action over the weekend with the developer to have the works ceased,” said Mayor Cr Melina Sehr. “The Council will not tolerate additional disruption to residents, and has sought an urgent meeting with the Gurner Group this week to ensure that no further works occur out of hours, and to address the breaches which have occurred. “Residents can be assured that inappropriate noise and dust impacts are absolutely unacceptable, and local amenity is of utmost concern to the Council,” Cr Sehr said.
DELAYS WITH MARINA ■ “The redevelopment of the St Kilda Marina is progressing, though challenges have impacted the project timeline,” says Port Phillip Council. “The long-term lease for the Marina was awarded to Australian Marina Development Corporation in December 2020, and since then, increased costs associated with managing historic soil contamination, combined with rising construction costs, have affected the project's progress,” said a Council representative. “Port Phillip Council and AMDC have been working closely to navigate these financial challenges. AMDC has indicated that additional time is needed to assess the implications of the significantly increased redevelopment costs. “Since taking over the management of the Marina site, including its sub-tenants, in May 2022, AMDC has completed several key redevelopment tasks in line with the St Kilda Marina Site Brief,” a Council statement said.
● St Kilda Marina
CAR FIRE AT PATTERSON LAKES
● Police want to speak with this man ■ Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after a stolen car was set alight at Patterson Lakes. A stolen orange 2017 Holden Commodore sedan bearing stolen registration plates XQA765 collided with the barriers on Thompson Rd at Mornington Peninsula Freeway overpass in Patterson Lakes at 11.40pm on February 26. The driver was collected by a silver Skoda Karoq bearing cloned plates BJL120. This vehicle then attended a nearby petrol station and driver from the stolen crashed car purchased a jerry can and fuel before returning to the collision scene. The man then used the petrol to set the stolen Commodore alight and may have burnt his leg during the incident. The man is described as being aged in his 20’s, is shirtless and has dark coloured short hair and a beard. Investigators have released CCTV of the man in the hope someone may recognise him. Investigators are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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